Grand Tour of Romania

Grand Tour of Romania

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Day 1: arrival in Romania - Bucharest - dinner

Arrival at Bucharest International Airport.

Welcome by your English speaking guide.

Transfer and check-in at your hotel in Bucharest.

A few hours of free time to rest after your journey to Romania.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Transfer to the hotel.

Accommodation in Bucharest.

Day 2: Bucharest - breakfast, lunch, dinner

Breakfast.

We will start exploring Bucharest, the capital city of Romania.

The day begins with the visit of a few important landmarks Bucharest has to offer: the Palace of the Parliament, Constitution Square, University Square, Union Square and the Romanian Patriarchal Cathedral, except for the Palace of the Parliament, panoramic views only.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we will start exploring another part of Bucharest, with a panoramic city tour which take us along the following route: The Arch of Triumph, Victory Square, Victoria Palace, Victory Avenue, Romanian Athenaeum (architectural masterpiece; the main concert hall for one of the most prestigious classical music festivals on Earth: George Enescu Festival) and the beautiful old quarter of the city, with a few stops for scenic photos, where possible.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Transfer to the hotel.

Accommodation in Bucharest.

Day 3: Bucharest - Constanta - Murighol - Sfantu Gheorghe - breakfast, lunch, dinner

Breakfast.

We depart to one of Europe’s largest preserved natural marvels, the Danube Delta, UNESCO World Heritage Site, via Constanta.

Our route will take us East, crossing the mighty Danube River over the Cervavoda bridge.

Arrival in Constanta, a major port at the Black Sea and at the easternmost point of Rhine-Main-Danube canal, an important waterway connection in Europe.

Panoramic tour in Constanta, including a few of the main sights of this beautiful city: the Genovese Lighthouse, the Casino with the seafront and Mamaia Resort.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

We continue to Murighiol.

Here, we will embark on our speedboat and enter this fascinating water world.

Transfer to Sfantu Gheorghe.

Campfire barbecue dinner at our resort.

Accommodation in Sfantu Gheorghe.

Day 4: Sfantu Gheorghe - Danube Delta - Sfantu Gheorghe - breakfast, lunch, dinner

Breakfast.

In the morning we will start with a 2-3h guided boat trip into the delta.

Danube Delta, this amazing natural habitat is one of Europe’s most wild and biodiverse areas. Romania is blessed to have the largest part of this wonder within it’s borders, over 3.400 km² out of the total 4.150 km². Hosting more than 20 different natural ecosystems, besides the prevalent aquatic environment, the entire area is home to an impressive number of plants and animals, but bird lovers will find here a true Eden.

We return to our resort.

Lunch at the local restaurant.

In the afternoon we head out again into the delta, for more exploration.

We return to our resort.

Dinner at the local restaurant.

Accommodation in Sfantu Gheorghe.

Day 5: Sfantu Gheorghe - Murighiol - Urlati - Sinaia - Brasov - breakfast, lunch, dinner                          

Breakfast.

We depart Sfantu Gheorghe by speedboat and return to Murighiol.

We are in the historical region called Dobrogea, and from here we leave by bus to Urlati, in a famous winemaking area, located in Prahova County, in the region named Wallachia.

Here, we will visit Urlateanu Manor, a wine cellar built in 1922 and recently restored.
You will have the opportunity to visit the cellar, then after a short presentation on how the wine is made, we will finish, of course, with wine tasting.
You have here the chance to buy some quality Romanian wine for your collection.
We’ll enjoy a traditional lunch, at the property’s restaurant.
We continue to Sinaia.

In Sinaia we will visit Peles Castle, Romania’s most beautiful castle, former Romanian Royal Family summer residence. Today a very rich museum, architectural masterpiece built in German style, between 1875 and 1914.

Departure to Brasov, in the historical region of Transylvania.

Arrival in Brasov.

Dinner with traditional folk show and wine tasting at a local restaurant.

Transfer to the hotel.

Accommodation in Brasov.

Day 6: Brasov - Bran - Busteni - Babele rock formation - Busteni - Poiana Brasov - Brasov - breakfast, lunch, dinner

Breakfast.

Brasov short walking city tour visiting: City Hall, Council Square, Rope Street (one of the narrowest streets in Europe) and The Black Church considered the icon monument of Brasov.

Our journey continues to Bran, the location of another magnificent castle, the famous Dracula Castle.

Visit Bran Castle, which is listed among the most famous castles on Earth and connected to the Legend of Dracula is today one of Romania’s most prestigious tourist icons.

The first fortified construction at the site of Bran Castle dates from 1211. Throughout the centuries, the castle had many owners, including Queen Mary of Romania. Today, the owner is the Archduke Dominic of Habsburg. Among the most famous guests of the castle, was Vlad the Impaler (or Vlad Tepes, the legendary prince assimilated often with Dracula) in 1462, on his way to Visegrad, the place where he was incarcerated for 12 years.

Weather permitting, we continue our day to Busteni, a popular mountain resort.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, we will enjoy a scenic ride on the cable car that will take us up to an altitude over 2100 m, at Babele rock formation. Is the skies are clear, the views overlooking the valley below are just spectacular.

We return to Busteni, by cable car.

From Busteni we continue our journey to Poiana Brasov, one of the most popular ski resorts in Romania.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch we return to our hotel in Brasov.

Transfer to the hotel.

Accommodation in Brasov.

Day 7: Brasov - Viscri - Sighisoara - breakfast, lunch, dinner

Breakfast.

We continue to explore the magical land of Transylvania.

Our first visit today, the picturesque village of Viscri.

With its beginnings lost in time, Viscri is one of the oldest villages in the region with an intact heritage and amaging cultural past. Built on a gentle rolling hill, more than eight centuries ago, Viscri fortified church lies almost intact and ready to be explored, today part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

We visit the amazing fortified church and enjoy the tranquil and authentic local atmosphere.

We continue to Sighisoara, a medieval city, considered to be the jewel of Transylvania.

Arrival in the beautiful city of Sighisoara.

Transfer to our hotel.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

We will discover Sighisoara, a genuine trip back in time to explore this exquisite medieval town. Narrow passageways, cobbled streets, burgher houses and the great local atmosphere, all contribute to an amazing experience.

Our walking tour will include: the Clock Tower, House of Vlad the Impaler (here was born in 1431, Vlad the Impaler / Vlad Tepes, the legendary prince assimilated often with Dracula), Stag House, Venetian House, School Street, Scholar's Stairs and the Church on the Hill.

This marvelous Medieval Citadel, listed as UNESCO World Heritage, remains the only medieval citadel in Europe, entirely and continuously inhabited, since its construction.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Transfer to the hotel.

Accommodation in Sighisoara.

Day 8: Sighisoara - Lupeni - Praid - Red Lake - Bicaz Gorges - Targu Neamt - Gura Humorului - breakfast, lunch, dinner

Breakfast.

Today we head to the North-East, to the historical region of Bukovina.

Our first stop will be in the village of Lupeni, a popular site for local wooden handicrafts.

We continue to Praid, where we’ll visit the impressive salt mine.

Praid salt mine is the biggest of its kind not just in Romania, but from the whole Europe. The salt is extracted here since the Roman period. The vast galleries formed a micro climate, with constant temperatures, between 14-16°C and with fairly low humidity, less than 70%.

After our visit in Praid, we continue to Red Lake, the largest barrier lake in Romania.

Stop for scenic photos.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

We continue our journey passing through the splendid Bicaz Gorges, one of the most spectacular stretches of road in Romania.

Our next stop will be Neamt Citadel, in Moldova historical region. Built in 1359, by Petru Musat, a Moldavian Prince, the citadel successfully resisted numerous attacks by Hungarians, Turks and Polish armies throughout the time.

We continue to our hotel located in Gura Humorului.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Transfer to our hotel.

Accommodation in Gura Humorului.

Day 9: Gura Humorului - Suceava - Putna - Sucevita - Gura Humorului - breakfast, lunch, dinner

Breakfast.

Today is dedicated to Bukovina region, and its marvels.

We start the day with the visit of Suceava Citadel. Much like Neamt Citadel, Suceava was unconquered even after multiple attempts, and eventually was destroyed by the Ottomans in 1675.

We continue to one of the most important religious edifices in Romania, Putna Monastery. Isolated, in a forested area, the monastery was built by Stephen the Great, one of the most important Moldavian Princes, following his victory at Chilia over the Ottomans.

The local Museum houses one of Eastern Europe’s largest Byzantine religious collections.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

We continue with the visit of another monastery, Sucevita.

The largest monasteries in Bukovina region and one of the finest, it is known especially for the “Ladder of Virtues” fresco with its 32 steps to heaven. Sucevita Monastery, along with 7 other monasteries for the region, are part of UNESCO’s World Heritage.

We return to Gura Humorului.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Transfer to our hotel.

Accommodation in Gura Humorului.

Day 10: Gura Humorului - Voronet - Piatra Fantanele - Ocna Sugatag - breakfast, lunch, dinner

Breakfast.

We continue to yet another monastery, and visit Voronet Monastery, also part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Constructed in 1488 by the same Moldavian Price that has build Putna Monastery, Stephen the Great, it is known as the ”Sistine Chapel of the East”. An unique feature of the monastery is the intense shade of blue of the frescoes, known as the ”Voronet Blue”.

Our journey countinues to the North-West, crossing into Transylvania again for a stop at Piatra Fantanele village.

Lunch at a local restaurant, drinks included.

After lunch we will attend the famous Dracula Show hosted at the local castle.

We continue to Ocna Sugatag, in the beautiful land of Maramures.

Arrival in Ocna Sugatag.

Transfer to our local pensions.

Dinner at a local restaurant, drinks included.

Accommodation in Ocna Sugatag.

Day 11: Ocna Sugatag -  Viseu de Sus - ”Mocanița” steam train - Viseu de Sus - Ocna Sugatag - breakfast, lunch, dinner

Breakfast.

Today a truly amazing experience awaits, a steam train ride into the pristine forests of Maramures, on the Vaser Valley!

This train is unique in Europe, the last of the Carpathian Forestry Railways.

We will venture about 21 kilometers into Maramures Mountains National Park and enjoy the scenic ride onboard the steam train.

Lunch will be taken in the middle of nature.

We return to Ocna Sugatag.

Transfer to our pension in Ocna Sugatag.

Free afternoon to enjoy the local spa.

Dinner at a local restaurant, drinks included.

Accommodation in Ocna Sugatag.

Day 12: Ocna Sugatag - Cluj-Napoca - breakfast, lunch, dinner

Breakfast.

Free morning to enjoy the local spa.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon we continue to Cluj-Napoca, the second largest city in Romania and the heart of Transylvania.

Transfer to the hotel.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation in Cluj-Napoca.

Day 13: Cluj-Napoca - Turda - Coltesti - Cluj-Napoca - breakfast, lunch, dinner

Breakfast.

We will discover the highlights of Cluj-Napoca, the heart of Transylvania, a beautiful city with about 2.000 years of history.

Our walking tour will include the main sights: Union Square, St. Michael’s Church, Matthias Corvinus Monument, Heroes’ Avenue, Capitoline Wolf Statue, Avram Iancu Square, Romanian National Opera, the Orthodox Cathedral, Banffy Palace, Museum Square, the Franciscan Church and Matthias Corvinus House, outside visits only.

We continue the day to the city of Turda.

In Turda we will visit one of the world’s largest salt mine museum and one of the most appreciated travel attractions in Romania, Turda Salt Mine.

We will venture into the mine’s depth through the galleries and into the main room, carved in salt with a height of about 100 meters. Aside from the rich local history and the spectacular views, the constant year long temperature, around 12-14°C, and the salty air have proven therapeutic properties.

We continue to the charming village of Coltesti.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

We return to Cluj-Napoca.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation in Cluj-Napoca.

Day 14: Cluj-Napoca - Alba Iulia - Sibiu - breakfast, lunch, dinner

Breakfast.

Departure to Alba Iulia, where modern Romania’s Union took place in 1918.

We start the city tour in Alba Iulia visiting: the Reunification Cathedral, also called Coronation Cathedral, built between 1921 and 1922. This is the Cathedral, where on 15 October 1922, were crowned Ferdinand and Mary, as King and Queen of United Romania, called Great Romania. After that, we will visit the Catholic Cathedral of Alba Iulia, Princely Palace and Equestrian Statue of Michael the Brave. We will then visit Alba Carolina, a medieval citadel, masterpiece of Vauban style.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Our journey continues to Sibiu, a former European Capital of Culture in 2007.

Arrival in Sibiu.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Entertainment in a local club.

Transfer to the hotel.

Accommodation in Sibiu.

Day 15: Sibiu - Marginimea Sibiului - Sibiu - breakfast, lunch, dinner

Breakfast.

Today we will visit another authentic region of Romania, Marginimea Sibiului.

The beautiful pastures, the picturesque villages scattered over the valleys and hills, the local atmosphere make you think of times well passed. The everyday life of the people living here seems like a fairytale: clean air, exceptional food, beautiful landscapes and profound culture.

We will visit here a local sheepfold and taste the local products. This amazing pastoral lifestyle has inspired many stories, legends and myths, a timeless experience.

Traditional barbecue lunch, drinks included.

We return to Sibiu and start exploring this marvelous city, with a walking tour: Large Square, Little Square, Huet Square, Evangelical Church, Catholic Cathedral, The Lutheran Cathedral of Saint Mary, Orthodox Cathedral, Bridge of Lies, Craftsmen’s Square, Goldsmith Square, City Hall, City Hall Tower and Bruckenthal Museum, outside visits only.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Transfer to the hotel.

Accommodation in Sibiu.

Day 16: Sibiu - Deva - Hunedoara - Orastie - breakfast, lunch, dinner

Breakfast.

We depart to Deva.

We will start our visits today with the Fortress of Deva, a 13th century citadel that used to protect the area around Mures river and its valley. The citadel offers beautiful views over the valley bellow, if the weather is clear.

Our journey continues to Hunedoara, the location of yet another magnificent castle.

Corvin Castle is one of Europe’s largest castles, built in Gothic-Renaissance style starting with the 14th century. During much of the 15th and 16th centuries, the castle was recognized one of the biggest constructions in Eastern Europe. Today, the castle is restored almost but completely, after its original appearance that impressed during the Middle Ages.

We will visit Corvin Castle, with time to enjoy one of Europe’s most appealing castles today.

We continue to Orastie.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Transfer to our hotel, basically a large theme park specialized on various adventure activities.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation in Orastie.

Day 17: Orastie - Sarmisegetusa Ulpia Traiana - Baile Herculane - breakfast, lunch, dinner

Breakfast.
Our program continues today to the South-West, crossing the Carpathian Mountains once again.

We will visit the capital city on Roman Dacia Provice, Sarmisegetusa Ulpia Traiana. With strong fortifications, and inhabited by veterans of the Dacian wars, the settlement quickly grew and accommodated a population of around 25000 during its peak in the 2nd and 3rd centuries.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Beautiful landscapes follow as we make our way to the South, to one of the most known spa towns in Romania, Baile Herculane.

Transfer to our hotel.

Enjoy time at leisure in one of the oldest thermal spas in Europe and, legend claims, the site where Hercules defeated the Medusa and where after bathing in the thermal spring waters, he saw his powers increase.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation in Baile Herculane.

Day 18: Baile Herculane - Orsova - Danube cruise, Iron Gates Gorge - Orsova - Baile Herculane - breakfast, lunch, dinner

Breakfast.

We depart for the town of Orsova.

Here we board our vessel for a 5-6 hour cruise through the dramatically narrow Iron Gates Gorge, on the Danube rive. We’re in between Romania and Serbia, respectively between the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains.

Buffet lunch on board, drinks included.

After our scenic cruise, we return up the Cerna river to Baile Herculane.

Transfer to our hotel.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation in Baile Herculane.

Day 19: Baile Herculane - Drobeta-Turnu Severin - Cetate - Bucharest - breakfast, lunch, dinner

Breakfast.

We continue our program heading along the Danube to the South and then East, towards Bucharest.

Our first stop today is Drobeta-Turnu Severin, a city on the banks of Danube with a rich history dating from the Roman times.

We will visit the remains of Severin Fortress, close to the ancient Roman Danube Bridge. The location of this stronghold was quite important as it guarded the Lower stretch of the Danube. The fortress was almost by completely destroyed by the Ottomans in 1524, leaving only one tower standing, thus the new city name Turnu Severin, meaning the tower of Severin.

We continue to Cetate, a peaceful village on the shores of the Danube.

Traditional lunch with folk show.

We continue to Bucharest.

Arrival in Bucharest.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Transfer to our hotel.

Accommodation in Bucharest.

Day 20: Bucharest - departure from Romania - breakfast

Breakfast.

Transfer to the airport, according with your flight schedule.

Departure from Bucharest International Airport.

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